Ollie’s Tune

Oliver Nares is our near neighbour, living up in the hills above us just outside Ballydehob. He’s taken up the squeezebox fairly recently, and is getting really good. He’s sent me one of the tunes he has mastered:

Oliver’s ‘melodeon’ is in G and C French tuning (like mine!) It was hand made made by Eric Martin who is based in Maxent, Ille-et-Vilaine department, Brittany.

This lament – Battle of the Somme – is said to have been composed by Pipe Major William Laurie of the 8th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, following the infamous First World War offensive which lasted for 141 days. It ended on December 15, 1916, with over a million casualties on both sides. By the end of the campaign the Allies had advanced  just seven miles.

We Are Making A New World by war artist Paul Nash

Many thanks, Oliver! I particularly like your use of basses in your arrangement. Keep sending in the tunes!